Ultrasound methods for diagnostic work-up of patients with hepatitis C

Abstract:

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, reliable and, most often, first-line diagnostic procedure performed in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C. Today, there are several modalities of ultrasound imaging which make it possible to analyze the morphology of the liver and other structures (B-mode or grey scale), flow and hemodynamics of examined blood vessels (Doppler), structure or stiffness of tissues (elastography), and micro vascularization (contrast-enhanced ultrasound). Other than the classic grey scale ultrasound, elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are usually performed as diagnostic procedures of choice in the patients with chronic hepatitis C. Elastography enables non-invasive quantification of liver fibrosis, diagnosing clinically significant portal hypertension, excluding presence of high-risk oesophageal varices, and gathering of prognostic information. Contrast ultrasound is mostly used for characterization of focal liver lesions.

Key words:
elastography; hepatitis C; liver cirrhosis; ultrasound